REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Recognition of Fire Department on Achieving International Accreditation Status Awarded by the Commission for Fire Accreditation International
Report
BACKGROUND
On August 9, 2018 the Commission for Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) awarded International Accreditation Status to the Santa Clara Fire Department. The Commission on Fire Accreditation International consists of eleven members that represent a cross-section of the fire and emergency service, including fire departments, city and county management, labor, standards development organizations, and the U.S. Department of Defense. This prestigious award recognizes the Department’s commitment to achieving excellence through self-assessment, peer evaluation, and continuous quality improvement in order to improve service delivery to our community.
DISCUSSION
The CFAI accreditation process was conducted over a twenty-month period, and included several key milestones. The process began in December 2016 with the development of a five-year, community driven strategic plan, which outlines the agency’s strengths and areas for improvement. Next, the department conducted an in-depth community risk analysis and produced a Community Risk Assessment and Standard of Cover document, which provides detailed data on the delivery of service in our city. Finally, the department underwent a self-assessment and peer review process to ensure that industry best practices are followed and that plans are in place to address identified opportunities for improvement.
Being an accredited fire agency enhances quality improvement processes and provides the highest level of fire and rescue services to the City of Santa Clara. Benefits of accreditation and self-assessment include:
• Assures stakeholders and the public that the Fire Department has a defined mission and appropriate goals that meet the needs of the community
• Creates methods for addressing deficiencies while building upon organizational strengths
• Identifies potential risks inside the city and enables the department to effectively mitigate emergencies with appropriate resources
• Creates a vehicle for developing strategic plans
• Provides a detailed evaluation of services
• Provides for the collection of data to analyze the department's services through performance measurements established by CFAI
• Encourages professional growth for both the department and its personnel
• Encourages continuous quality improvement
• Fosters regional and national recognition for the department by outside fire agencies and the public
• Identifies areas of strength and opportunities for improvement within the department
• Provides a mechanism to communicate the priorities of the organization
Accreditation is an ongoing process and not an end in itself. Accreditation is based upon continuous improvement of the organization. The accreditation status is valid for a period of five (5) years, after which the department will seek reaccreditation in 2022. The department will be required to develop and conduct an annual report that reviews the performance of all divisions. The annual report will be published and available to the public on the City’s website by February 1st of each calendar year.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional expense to the City other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library. Supporting documents including the 2017-2021 Community Driven Strategic Plan and the Community Risk Assessment and Standard of Cover are located at the Santa Clara Fire Department.
Reviewed by: William G. Kelly, Fire Chief
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager